Sandra Lee Van Kluyve, age 54, of Wyckoff, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Her family was gathered with her in loving support at the time of her passing.

Born in Paterson, Sandra grew up in Prospect Park where she attended School Number 1 on Brown Avenue and Manchester Regional High School. She later lived in the Haskell section of Wanaque and had most recently been living in Wyckoff.

Possessing a heart of gold and a seeming love for anyone, it was as natural as breathing for Sandra to strike up a conversation with a total stranger. For many years, she used her magnetic personality to wait on customers as a bartender at the former County Cork in Pompton Lakes, now known as The Side Door Bar & Grill. She also worked for National Beryllia, Inc. – manufacturer of beryllium oxide products in Haskell, as a delicatessen employee at Foodtown Grocery Store in Haskell, and for many years as a dental assistant for Dr. Brian Trava in Hawthorne.

Sandy’s “me time” preferences included pretty-much anything outdoors but she especially enjoyed summer days taking in the sun, sand, and ocean water down the Jersey Shore or going for a hike along the Cannonball Trail off of Skyline Drive in Ringwood, the MacEvoy Trail to Ramapo Lake off of Skyline Drive in Oakland, or at the Ramapo Reservation in Mahwah. She also enjoyed her pets – kitties Smoky and O.J. who passed away before her, and Sylvie, her cockatiel whose wings she admittedly neglected to clip so one day the little bird literally flew the coop.

While days down the shore or hiking in the woods were fun, Sandy also derived great satisfaction by engaging in the act of serving others. She went all-out in support of her son Matthew, in fact, while describing her as somewhat too supportive, Matt admittedly appreciated her mothering attempts to guide him down worthy life paths without dictating specific ones for him to take. Proud to be an American and even more proud of Matt’s U.S. Marine service, Sandy was inspired to join the American Legion, Post 57 of Waldwick to serve in any capacity where needed. Consequently, she served for a number of years as the post’s recording secretary and gladly gave of her spare time to raise funds and to prepare and send care packages to deployed U.S. troops abroad and to their families anxiously waiting at home for their return. Having a healthy intolerance for injustice, she also once helped a veteran of the Vietnam War receive the medals that he didn’t receive but clearly deserved. Sandy also served for many years as a Ladies Auxiliary member of the Apshawa Volunteer Fire Department in West Milford.

Two years ago, Sandra received one of life’s greatest gifts when she graduated to the roll of “Grandma”. Given the gift of grandson Mason by her son Matthew and her daughter-in-law Stephanie, it seemed Grandma Sandy couldn’t spoil little Mason enough. Subsequently, the UPS truck was pulling up to Mason’s house almost daily with gifts from Amazon addressed to Mr. Mason La Sala. He was a lucky little guy to have grandma who was so excited to have him in her life.

Sandra was a true inspiration to countless souls whose life path crisscrossed with hers. Diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes when she was just 17 years old, Sandy battled this disease with an “I can overcome anything” attitude for the rest of her life. Those that knew her would tell you that she always wore a smile on her face which was just a reflection of a happy heart that was too busy blessing and encouraging others to be concerned about herself.

Sandra is survived by her dear son Matthew and wife Stephanie La Sala of Wayne; loving father William Van Kluyve of Wyckoff; cherished grandson Mason; dear brother Ronald Van Kluyve of Wayne; and her nieces and nephew: Nicole, Danielle, and James Van Kluyve. She was predeceased by her loving mother Linda Van Kluyve in 2015.

Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:30 PM.

A Funeral Service will be held immediately following the time of visitation and begin in the funeral home at 4:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Sandra’s name are asked to consider the Waldwick American Legion, Post 57, 46 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 07463.

Guest Book

7/26/2017

Rest in Peace my beautiful friend, I will miss your beautiful smile and positive outlook on life. If the world only had more Sandy's , what a truly beautiful place it would be .... I am so blessed to have you as my friend , my heart is so broken. How i wish i could have just one more minute , just to hear that hearty laugh of yours, hold your hand, hug you and tell you how much you have made me a better person for knowing you. You were an ANGEL on earth Sandy,and now you are the most beautiful Angel in Heaven <3 I Love you Sandy.

Carole Warren-Beck

7/26/2017

Rest in peace our Sweet Sandy... you were a light in the room and will continue to be a light in my heart. So dance with your angels now. We will keep watch over your Matthew and precious Mason. Thank you for making our lives a brighter place. Be free now. I love you!

Deana Wolowitz

7/28/2017

Our sincere sympathy to your family. Sandy you always had a wonderful smile. And always had a positive outlook on life even at a young age thank you. MY Mom still talks about you .

raul sosa

7/28/2017

Billy, so truly sorry to learn of the death of your daughter. May God comfort you and all those who loved Sandy.

John R Vander Molen

7/29/2017

Rest In Peace Mama you were the BEST mother, mother in law and grandma! You did such an amazing job with Matthew he truly a wonderful and loving husband and father.
We've gotten so close over the years I will miss the daily texts and hearing your sweet voice on the other line. You were more then just my mother in law, you became one of my best friends and my heart will forever be broken and always yearning for just one more day of your sunshine and sweetness and those warm hugs and kisses full of love.
We will always remember the way you've made us laugh, how good you've been to us always and how much you loved and spoiled little Mason. I'm so sad you won't be there to see him grow up but I will make sure he knows how much you loved him and what an amazing and beautiful person you were. I miss you so much and will always love you.

Stephanie La Sala

7/29/2017

Sandy was a warm happy soul, always a smile and a hug every time we met, she had been through so much with her health,, she was a trooper, ever going forward,a bit ditzy at times but that only added to her charm, she is missed, Heaven has gained a angel of great compassion and love

Tom Warren

7/29/2017

Sandy, The Ladies of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 will miss you. Thank you for your years of membership and service. Thank you for being our Secretary for a number of years. Thank you for being our representative to the Vet's Home in Paramus for many years. Your devotion to the Legion and our Military and our Country will always be remembered.

Nancy Nielsen

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SandraVan Kluyve

7/25/2017

Guest Book

7/26/2017

Rest in Peace my beautiful friend, I will miss your beautiful smile and positive outlook on life. If the world only had more Sandy's , what a truly beautiful place it would be .... I am so blessed to have you as my friend , my heart is so broken. How i wish i could have just one more minute , just to hear that hearty laugh of yours, hold your hand, hug you and tell you how much you have made me a better person for knowing you. You were an ANGEL on earth Sandy,and now you are the most beautiful Angel in Heaven <3 I Love you Sandy.

Carole Warren-Beck

7/26/2017

Rest in peace our Sweet Sandy... you were a light in the room and will continue to be a light in my heart. So dance with your angels now. We will keep watch over your Matthew and precious Mason. Thank you for making our lives a brighter place. Be free now. I love you!

Deana Wolowitz

7/28/2017

Our sincere sympathy to your family. Sandy you always had a wonderful smile. And always had a positive outlook on life even at a young age thank you. MY Mom still talks about you .

raul sosa

7/28/2017

Billy, so truly sorry to learn of the death of your daughter. May God comfort you and all those who loved Sandy.

John R Vander Molen

7/29/2017

Rest In Peace Mama you were the BEST mother, mother in law and grandma! You did such an amazing job with Matthew he truly a wonderful and loving husband and father.
We've gotten so close over the years I will miss the daily texts and hearing your sweet voice on the other line. You were more then just my mother in law, you became one of my best friends and my heart will forever be broken and always yearning for just one more day of your sunshine and sweetness and those warm hugs and kisses full of love.
We will always remember the way you've made us laugh, how good you've been to us always and how much you loved and spoiled little Mason. I'm so sad you won't be there to see him grow up but I will make sure he knows how much you loved him and what an amazing and beautiful person you were. I miss you so much and will always love you.

Stephanie La Sala

7/29/2017

Sandy was a warm happy soul, always a smile and a hug every time we met, she had been through so much with her health,, she was a trooper, ever going forward,a bit ditzy at times but that only added to her charm, she is missed, Heaven has gained a angel of great compassion and love

Tom Warren

7/29/2017

Sandy, The Ladies of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 57 will miss you. Thank you for your years of membership and service. Thank you for being our Secretary for a number of years. Thank you for being our representative to the Vet's Home in Paramus for many years. Your devotion to the Legion and our Military and our Country will always be remembered.

Nancy Nielsen

SandraVan Kluyve

7/25/2017

Sandra Lee Van Kluyve, age 54, of Wyckoff, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Her family was gathered with her in loving support at the time of her passing.

Born in Paterson, Sandra grew up in Prospect Park where she attended School Number 1 on Brown Avenue and Manchester Regional High School. She later lived in the Haskell section of Wanaque and had most recently been living in Wyckoff.

Possessing a heart of gold and a seeming love for anyone, it was as natural as breathing for Sandra to strike up a conversation with a total stranger. For many years, she used her magnetic personality to wait on customers as a bartender at the former County Cork in Pompton Lakes, now known as The Side Door Bar & Grill. She also worked for National Beryllia, Inc. – manufacturer of beryllium oxide products in Haskell, as a delicatessen employee at Foodtown Grocery Store in Haskell, and for many years as a dental assistant for Dr. Brian Trava in Hawthorne.

Sandy’s “me time” preferences included pretty-much anything outdoors but she especially enjoyed summer days taking in the sun, sand, and ocean water down the Jersey Shore or going for a hike along the Cannonball Trail off of Skyline Drive in Ringwood, the MacEvoy Trail to Ramapo Lake off of Skyline Drive in Oakland, or at the Ramapo Reservation in Mahwah. She also enjoyed her pets – kitties Smoky and O.J. who passed away before her, and Sylvie, her cockatiel whose wings she admittedly neglected to clip so one day the little bird literally flew the coop.

While days down the shore or hiking in the woods were fun, Sandy also derived great satisfaction by engaging in the act of serving others. She went all-out in support of her son Matthew, in fact, while describing her as somewhat too supportive, Matt admittedly appreciated her mothering attempts to guide him down worthy life paths without dictating specific ones for him to take. Proud to be an American and even more proud of Matt’s U.S. Marine service, Sandy was inspired to join the American Legion, Post 57 of Waldwick to serve in any capacity where needed. Consequently, she served for a number of years as the post’s recording secretary and gladly gave of her spare time to raise funds and to prepare and send care packages to deployed U.S. troops abroad and to their families anxiously waiting at home for their return. Having a healthy intolerance for injustice, she also once helped a veteran of the Vietnam War receive the medals that he didn’t receive but clearly deserved. Sandy also served for many years as a Ladies Auxiliary member of the Apshawa Volunteer Fire Department in West Milford.

Two years ago, Sandra received one of life’s greatest gifts when she graduated to the roll of “Grandma”. Given the gift of grandson Mason by her son Matthew and her daughter-in-law Stephanie, it seemed Grandma Sandy couldn’t spoil little Mason enough. Subsequently, the UPS truck was pulling up to Mason’s house almost daily with gifts from Amazon addressed to Mr. Mason La Sala. He was a lucky little guy to have grandma who was so excited to have him in her life.

Sandra was a true inspiration to countless souls whose life path crisscrossed with hers. Diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes when she was just 17 years old, Sandy battled this disease with an “I can overcome anything” attitude for the rest of her life. Those that knew her would tell you that she always wore a smile on her face which was just a reflection of a happy heart that was too busy blessing and encouraging others to be concerned about herself.

Sandra is survived by her dear son Matthew and wife Stephanie La Sala of Wayne; loving father William Van Kluyve of Wyckoff; cherished grandson Mason; dear brother Ronald Van Kluyve of Wayne; and her nieces and nephew: Nicole, Danielle, and James Van Kluyve. She was predeceased by her loving mother Linda Van Kluyve in 2015.

Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:30 PM.

A Funeral Service will be held immediately following the time of visitation and begin in the funeral home at 4:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Sandra’s name are asked to consider the Waldwick American Legion, Post 57, 46 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 07463.